New Orleans - The Natural History - Short Version

After Katrina, people ask why would anyone establish a city in a place that is below sea level, floods nearly every year, is as hot and humid as any tropical jungle, subject to outbreaks of deadly disease and faces annihilation as the result of a direct hit from a hurricane? More to the point, why would anyone try to save it?

When you mention New Orleans to most people, the images evoked are of a lively port city populated by a sultry mix of people from many different cultures and, of course, jazz, Mardi Gras and world class cuisine. What few people realize is that the very forces that created New Orleans now threaten its very existence. The eco-system is incredibly fragile and volatile, and if no action is taken, the city could be wiped out in the next hurricane or gradually swept into the sea from the current course of things.
With the critical issues of global warming and our ongoing struggle to strike a healthy balance between a healty environment and a growing economy, New Orleans serves as a microcosm in which we can examine the critical issues facing our planet.
Dreamsite Productions
Director: Walter Williams

[@robertzobel2511]

One of the most beautiful cities in the world, and, to be sure, city with the greatest culture in the US. Please hang on...

[@christianbotello4651]

Robert Zobel and unbelievable crime, corruption and poverty

[@christownsend7552]

Crime and poverty are everywhere. Even here in BFE Mississippi

[@brocko9696]

I was born and raised here in New Orleans and I never really knew a lot of the information in this video, makes me pretty proud!

[@ceasarandrepont5331]

I set here in my New York City apartment, and watch this with pride knowing that my lineage is of French Creole Louisiana heritage.

[@nicknegrete2477]

Went to New Orleans this past summer 2016. I had a better time ion New Orleans than I did in Jamaica. I can't wait to go back. This time I'll stay a lil longer. I love LA, but NO is so different.

[@sharonjones2775]

They should have gotten the guy that engineered Hover Dam.

[@samuelchambers5]

Awesome piece! I learned a lot more about my hometown's natural history In this video than I did all of my years in school there. Education is fundamental to our understanding of how systems that we depend on work to and against our survival. How we interact with those systems and prepare for natural and evolutionary changes will ultimately determine our fates.

[@corlisscrabtree3647]

Thank you

[@lowellmccormick6991]

excellent piece. You did a great job and you focused on what's most important, geology, geography and history.

[@jstew309]

very much so. As a life long resident, I agree

[@TheJaylennon]

lol

[@randyalexander4595]

The above comment is ignorant and must be written by someone who has not experienced the beauty of New Orleans. There is no where else like it, the food, music, culture, architecture... What about when Sea levels rise will we save New York? How about San Francisco after the next big earthquake.

[@nutnice247]

everyone on earth is trying to survive. it doesn't matter if global warming is happening or not. people learn to adapt. or just adapt. can we really fight mother nature? Can we really fight capitalism? you can't in a world that is free

[@angeljordan2705]

Its home...

[@cuntessa1017]

Good video except for the blarring background music gets too Damn loud you can't hear what is being said. Caution to headphone users!

[@jaswats9645]

Well! Isn't it great then that there hasn't been any global warming for over a decade!

[@thatrandomchannel8589]

Still using those old ass pumps today

[@tetekofa]

Well then, looks like New Orleans is under water...

[@ElSmusso]

14:00 music made by cakewalk SONAR 😂